News

US to probe tech firms on competition, 'stifling' free speech

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Sep 06 02:48 AM

The US Justice Department said Wednesday it would probe social media giants over concerns over competition and "stifling the free exchange of ideas." Read more »

Actor James Woods says dumped by agent over politics

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Jul 06 09:13 AM

LOS ANGELES - US actor James Woods, one of the rare Hollywood celebrities to openly support President Donald Trump, has been dumped by his talent agent -- apparently over politics. Read more »

Duterte defends Mocha over tiff with Kris

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Jun 08 12:58 PM

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday came to the defense of Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, saying the latter had the right to refuse to apologize to actress Kris Aquino. Read more »

CHR: Foreigners visiting PH shouldn't lose rights to free speech, assembly

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Apr 26 02:01 PM

Entry to the Philippines should not equate to the surrender of rights to free speech and assembly for foreign nationals, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Thursday, amid an alleged crackdown of visitors critical of the government.  Read more »

Roque to resign if ‘fake news’ bill hurdles Congress

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 12 10:17 AM

MANILA - Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday said he would resign if the anti-“fake news” bill being pushed by Senator Grace Poe hurdles Congress. Read more »

Honduras lawmakers debate bill seeking to curb online speech

Agence France-Presse
Updated as of Sep 11 05:16 PM

Tegucigalpa, Honduras - Lawmakers in Honduras are debating a bill that wants to fine administrators of social media networks for online comments deemed offensive or promoting "hate campaigns." Read more »

Ex-CJ Puno warns against tinkering with Bill of Rights

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Jan 25 01:30 PM

Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno warned lawmakers pushing for constitutional amendments against tinkering with the Bill of Rights. Read more »

OPINION: Curtailing freedom of expression redux

Ellen T. Tordesillas
Updated as of Jan 22 05:29 PM

Moves in the House of Representatives to insert the words “responsible exercise" in the freedom of speech part in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights is a revival of the same attempt made by the government of Gloria Arroyo in 2006. Read more »

House wants to amend free speech clause in Constitution

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jan 19 12:32 AM

A Malacañang official said a proposal to amend the Bill of Rights to mandate "responsible free speech" came from a committee under the Office of the President. Read more »

House wants to amend free speech clause in Constitution

RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Jan 16 11:04 PM

MANILA - A proposal to amend the Bill of Rights to mandate the "responsible" use of free speech is among the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution being discussed at the Lower House. Read more »

Iran blocks internet on third night of protests

Ali Noorani and Eric Randolph, Agence France-Presse
Posted at Dec 31 07:27 AM

Demonstrators attacked a town hall in the Iranian capital Saturday as protests spilled into a third night despite government warnings against any further "illegal gatherings" and moves to cut off the internet on mobiles. Read more »

Vietnam's 10,000-strong 'cyber army' slammed by rights groups

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Dec 29 11:10 PM

A top general this week said a 10,000-strong brigade dubbed "Force 47" has been tasked with fighting "wrongful views" spreading on the Internet. Read more »

13,000 websites shut down in China in past 3 years

Reuters
Updated as of Dec 24 07:49 PM

It's in line with what critics say is an effort to restrict freedom of speech and prevent criticism of the ruling Communist Party. Read more »

Russia to make US media register as 'foreign agents'

Anna Smolchenko, Agence France-Presse
Posted at Nov 11 05:05 AM

Russian lawmakers raced Friday to draft measures requiring US media outlets to register as foreign agents, saying they could be adopted as early as next week.   Read more »

OPINION: Your career in media

Alan Robles — Hot Manila
Updated as of Oct 11 05:28 PM

Since the Senate hearing on fake news, blogging and journalism, we've received tens of thousands of requests for our expert media opinion about what happened. We will now answer your questions on the matter. Read more »

Thousands take to streets in Boston protest against hate speech

Reuters
Posted at Aug 20 01:29 AM

Thousands of people in Boston protested a "Free Speech" rally featuring right-wing speakers on Saturday. Read more »

EU urges Myanmar to protect free speech after arrests of journalists

Shoon Naing, Reuters
Posted at Jul 03 08:21 PM

The European Union on Monday urged Myanmar to protect journalists from "intimidation, arrest or prosecution" after several cases of reporters running into trouble with the law, including three detained by the army last week. Read more »

Groups sue UC Berkeley over conservative speaker's talk

Agence France Presse
Posted at Apr 25 11:39 AM

LOS ANGELES - Two conservative groups filed a lawsuit on Monday against the University of California at Berkeley claiming that a decision to cancel an appearance by the firebrand pundit Ann Coulter violated their right to free speech. Read more »

Myanmar mother sues son for calling her a 'prostitute'

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Mar 22 08:36 AM

A Myanmar woman is suing her own son for calling her a "prostitute" on Facebook, the latest case under a controversial law that critics say is increasingly stifling free speech. Read more »

Palace on US Human Rights report: Duterte allows political dissent

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Mar 05 08:35 PM

A Malacañang official on Sunday dismissed allegations that the Duterte administration does not allow criticism. Read more »